San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-09-06
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guessed In minute who he was.
Il am glad you have come to-day, AnniS,"
he said, as he took her hand; and the pleas
ure In his face was reflected on hers.
Il must Introduce you Ia my friend she
said in answer. Mr.. GIscuigne and Mr..
Uric GascOigne-MisS ThOme."
When we walked on, perforce We fell in
TO couples. Annis and her lover Jagged be-
hind, his brother strOlled on by my side. lie
seemed used TO playin; the part Of third,
for he talked easily and unconstrainedly,
without needing the young folks behind us.
You are stranger Ia MarlandS, Miss
ThOme," he remarked. II suppose you are
staying at the Grange? Did Annis's sisters
come out with you this afternoon
They came but they walked on In front
Of us, and we have lost sight of them"
'Hilda generally comes with Annis," he
said; but do not think she likes it'-and
he laughed. MY cousins are very proud,
and they do not approve, fancy, Of Ann SIS
allowing Us, who are in disgrace, TO speak
to her"
He talked lightly and freely, concluding,
! suppose, though il did not occur 10 me
then, that, since AmniS had brought me with
her as chaperOn, W. in all the secrets of
the Grange. l did not think of it then, and
so | let him speak on; and after all, he told
me little more than had guessed.
His own existence wa, the one thing |
had not dreamed of; but he was, | found,
the elder brother, and the heir 10y birth TO
ST. Gabriers Grange, but disiuherited by
his uncle. | could not but wonder in INV
own mind what MIR. GascUigne could have
found against this young fellow that he
should deprive him Of has heritage.
stole turtlye glance at him now and
again as he talked; il was frank and pleas
ant fac looked at. He was older than
had perhaps at first supposed. There was a
decision about his mouth, slight frown of
the hrOws and lines here and there, telling
that his path had not been all roses, nor his
life without thought.
We walked and talked on for some time.
| am half surprised now to think that was
not embarrassed or perpleXed by his allu-
siOns to those family concerns at the Grange
OF which knew absolutely nothing; but at
the time 1t all seemed perfectly natural, and
i listened and responded without thought
of his probably mistaken view Of my posi-
ton. We meet sometimes in our lives men
and women with whom it comes instructive
ly to fall at once into friendly relations. 1t
was so with me that afternoon. | was con-
tent to meet those frank gray eyes and listen
to that pleasant voice without needing much
else.
"Elow far behind your brother and Annis
arep' | exclaimed at last, CHANGING back
down the lane.
ut would not be kind to remain in ear
shot," he answered, laughing, II wish An
his would summon up courage to allow I'M
Gle Richard to be told of her engagement.
She seems afraid of the very mention of
Ulric's name in his presence; but why
should she care? Uric has fortunately in
herited sufficient property from his mother
to live on; he is not soldier of fortune, like
myself"
You think Mr.. Gascoigne would be
angryY'
"Oh, yes, certainly! He has shut us out
entirely from his favor, you know. Some
times think Annis's sisters have more to
do with keeping the secret than AnniS her
self They might share my uncle's indigna-
ton unless he were TO forgive her. Poor
uncle Richard! Ii could not be much salts
faction to him to discard them also. But
am glad Uric chose AnniS instead of hand
some Hilda, and, in fact, question whether
Hilda would have looked at him and his
modest establishment"
"She would make stately Duchess" |
answered. ''She is almost too handsome
for everyday life"
Yes" he smiled; Glove in a cottage
would not be in her line. hope she will
win the duke. But Anni7 may know more
of love in her humber walk, and Uric may
possibly be happier than the duke"
Two figures were advancing down the
pathway towards us, growing nearer and
clearer.
Here are GwpndOline and IIlda," said
Mr.. GascOigne. ut is not often see Gwen
now, perhaps because there is hardly room
for three in this little path"
As we met, IIilda Farquhar flashed a
glance at me. 1t was the first time l had
encountered the full gaze of those blue eyes
that were accustomed to deny me even the
honor of look but which had seen fixed
so calmly and steadily on other faces; and
now was startled at the sharp angry light
darted upon me. i had seen scOrn and rest
less passion in GwendOlne's eyes, and 1t
had not hurt me, for it scarcely seemed that
i myself could have caused it. But this
brought suddenly 10 my brain amazement
and horror and pain, tOr in that one swift
glance read hatred.
1t was only for a second. Miss Farquhar
turned with a smile and a slightly risen
color to Mr. GaScOigne.
How do you do GILBERT" she said. Il
thought We should see you to-day"
Did you? Anns told me you were out
sOmewhere-she did not know where. How
are you, Gwendoline"
Il did not know you were acquainted with
Miss ThOrne," said GwendOline abruptly.
Neither had that pleasure until Annis
effected the introduction some ten minutes
since"
Did Annis tell you that she Is Mr.. Gas
cOigne's new secretaryT
1t might have been the rudeness of her
speech or simply the information therein
which took him aback and brought the
sharp decided answer
"Annis simply introduced Miss ThOTne as
her friend. hope my uncle has not forbid
den the acquaintance, Miss ThOrne?'
as that likely?" said Gwendoline. "Or
do you suppose she would heed il 1t we're
the caseP Mr.. GascOigne Is confined 10 his
rooms. She is, AnniS should have told you,
his companion, amanuensiS, intelligencer,
and everything else that her predecessors,
Granville Cox and James Staunton, were"
you will have busy time them" Mr..
Gascoigne said simply, addressing me in the
same pleasant tones as before. II hope you
will not tire of 1t so soon as they did, nor
omit to take regular walks"
Naturally she has great deal to do; but
walks may form part of her business"
Gwendoline replied tauntingy.
II do not understand your meaning in the
least, Lady Martin" said. IF you mean
to intimate that l come out by Mr.. Gas
coigne's orders, you know that Is not the
naSp I aama hv Nnur oil inuitafinn To